Elevation Solar Review (2023)

Many companies install solar energy systems, but Elevation Solar takes it a step further. The company offers an “Elevated Home” service that includes tailored energy efficiency upgrades to improve your savings. We at the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best solar companies to find the top choices for homeowners. This review explores Elevation Solar’s products, services, and brand reputation.

Elevation takes a holistic approach to energy efficiency. Along with solar systems and batteries, the company provides energy audits to help homeowners save on energy costs. Its in-house staff will identify and repair any structural issues contributing to energy loss. Elevation also sells Curb Energy Monitoring devices to track energy usage and control smart devices in your home. 

Elevation services the following five states: Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas. 

Elevation uses top-performing solar panels for homes from manufacturers such as LG and Panasonic. The company also offers dependable solar panel batteries as system add-ons. These allow you to store excess energy for later use, such as during a blackout or overnight when solar panels aren’t in use. 

Each solar panel system includes 25-year product and workmanship warranties. The product warranty covers any manufacturing defects. The workmanship warranty includes any issues caused by faulty installation. 

Homeowners can request a free solar quote by entering their home address on Elevation’s website. The company uses Google Earth satellites to review your home’s structure and size and create a quote. Use the “Calculate Your Home Energy Score” tool to determine your entire home’s energy efficiency. After entering your address and electric bill information, Elevation will evaluate your energy needs and compare your average usage to your neighbors.

Next, you’ll schedule an in-home visit with an Elevation Solar Energy Consultant. They’ll review your home’s layout and roof size to create a solar plan customized to your energy needs. The Elevation rep will review all costs associated with your solar panel installation and finalize the design plans. The company will also handle all paperwork and permits needed for the installation process. 

Elevation’s in-house technicians will install your new photovoltaic (PV) panel system plus any additions, such as a solar battery. Elevation works with your local electric company and local government officials for the final installation approval. Once your system earns Permission to Operate (PTO), it will be activated. 

Elevation has a dedicated concierge team to handle any solar system-related questions or concerns after installation.

Elevation’s “Elevated Home” concept strives to lessen energy use in your entire house. It includes smart energy monitoring, duct sealing, and a home performance assessment (also called a home energy audit).

An Elevation representative will visit your home and check for the following issues:

• Air leakage 
• Areas needing insulation or sealing 
• Drafts
• High energy use
• Insufficient insulation
• Poor air quality 

Elevation’s in-house crew will upgrade and repair any identified structural issues. The company claims an energy audit can reduce wasted energy by 10% or more, resulting in long-term utility bill savings. These upgrades could help customers earn Energy-Star certification for their homes, and may help reduce the total amount of solar panels needed for their project. 

Elevation participates in Energy Star’s Home Performance with Energy Star program (HPwES). This national program educates customers on making energy-efficient upgrades and includes a network of trusted partners and contractors to help complete these improvements. Elevation has completed HPwES education and upgrades in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. In 2020, the company was recognized as the Home Performance with Energy Star’s Contractor of the Year.

Elevation’s Curb Energy Monitoring systems provide a clear picture of your home’s energy use. The system connects to your breaker box and tracks up to 18 major appliances or zones in your home. It identifies your power-heavy appliances in real-time and tracks your renewable energy production and utility bill costs. The device also allows you to remotely control any SmartThings IoT devices installed in the home.

Elevation offers two financing options: cash payment and solar loans. Paying up-front helps customers earn the fastest return on investment. This option doesn’t require long-term loan payments or costly interest rates. However, cash payments require a large up-front investment that some homeowners may not have available. Choosing a solar loan requires a lower up-front investment, but the added interest will ultimately increase your total system cost. 

Rebates

Both payment options qualify you for solar incentives, which help offset the cost of solar panels. You can find solar incentives, credits, and rebates at the federal and state level. For example, the federal tax credit returns up to 30% of homeowners’ installation costs. This credit applies to your federal tax liability and can lower or reduce your total owed taxes. Additional incentives come from city-specific initiatives, municipality-based programs, or local utility companies. We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for solar incentives offered in your area.

Elevation has an A+ rating and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).* Positive reviews praise the knowledgeable staff and high-performing systems. Negative reviews mention recurring issues with company communication. Homeowners also cited problems with completing their installation and passing final inspections for activation. 

Here’s a sample of Elevation’s BBB customer reviews:

“The rep was very knowledgeable and explained the whole process and different options for payment. The installers worked extremely hard and long hours to complete the task. There were a few hiccups with notifying me on when they were coming and how many days for install, but the technicians worked hard to make the installation aesthetically pleasing. It looks good for all the work that was done. Definitely would recommend Elevation Solar.” —Julie T. 

“I am very satisfied with Elevation’s performance as a vendor. The system was delivered on time, and it has been working without any issues for close to three years. The production level has been as expected, and the company has been following the system’s performance along the way. I would recommend Elevation to anyone looking at solar panel system vendors without hesitation.” —Luis C. 

“The project is coming up on a year since it started with Elevation, and they still can’t seem to figure out how to install and/or turn on the system. Literally every time something was scheduled to be done at my home there was some kind of mistake made, misscheduling, or miscommunication. At this point, I’m thinking of removing the panels myself and leaving them in the alley for them to deal with. Since they’ve upgraded my circuit box every time it rains, we pop a fuse although I’ve told my point of contact no one has come out to check it.” —M. Hayden

“My husband and I signed a contract for solar from the company Elevation in October of 2021. The company came in January of 2022 to put the solar panels on. Then we had to wait for the inspector to come out. We called and called, but they keep telling us the inspector would come out. But it never happened. Then after calling several times, the inspector finally came on April 7, 2021. Then it failed, and now we have to go back to where we started. We are sick and tired of waiting. This is a horrible company. It has taken six months and still nothing.” —Shelly M.

*BBB ratings are accurate as of December 2022.

We’ve provided a side-by-side comparison of Elevation to other solar providers below:

• Company name: Elevation Home Energy Solutions, Inc.
• Company type: Private
• CEO: Greg Fasullo
• Year founded: 2014
• Address: 2425 S Stearman Dr., Unit 220, Chandler, AZ 85286-5039
• Phone: (866) 634-5291
• Website: poweredbyelevation.com

Homeowners looking for a full-home energy efficiency upgrade should consider Elevation Solar. The company’s whole-home energy solutions claim to improve your home’s comfort level and boost your long-term energy savings. Although some customers reported issues with scheduling and communication, the overall system performance and cost savings were worth the investment.

We recommend requesting at least three quotes to compare options. The tool below will match you with solar installers in your area.

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.